:VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVD, Audio CD, VCD, and various streaming protocols.

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[http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ VLC] is a media player by the [http://www.videolan.org/ VideoLAN team] designed to emphasize portability and compatibility. Historically, it was groundbreaking for Linux media software by being the first player to ship with libdvdcss, letting it play encrypted DVDs. This is now a feature that almost all players include, and is no longer an advantage.

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== Installation ==

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==Installation==

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[[Install]] the {{Pkg|vlc}} package.

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To install, simply run

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Notable variants are:

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{{bc|# pacman -S vlc}}

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* {{AUR|vlc-git}} - Development branch.

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* {{AUR|vlc-nox}} - Without X support.

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==Language==

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== Language ==

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It seems VLC does not offer an option to change language in its ''Preferences'' menu. But you can use the ''LANGUAGE='' prefix. For instance:

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VLC does not offer an option to change language in its ''Preferences'' menu. But you can use the ''LANGUAGE='' prefix. For instance, modify the {{ic|/usr/share/applications/vlc.desktop}} line:

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{{bc|<nowiki>$ LANGUAGE=fr vlc %U</nowiki>}}

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Exec=/usr/bin/vlc %U

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will switch VLC interface to french.

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to:

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Exec=LANGUAGE=fr /usr/bin/vlc %U

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to switch VLC interface to French.

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==Skins==

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== Skins ==

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VLC can be "skinned" for a different look and feel. You can obtain new skins for VLC from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php.

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VLC can be "skinned" for a different look and feel. You can get skins at the [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php skins website].

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Installation of skins is simple just download the skin you wish to use and copy it to:

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To install a skin download it and move it to:

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{{bc|~/.local/share/vlc/skins2}}

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~/.local/share/vlc/skins2

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Open up VLC, click tools->preferences. When the preferences window opens up you should be in the "Interface" tab

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Open up VLC, click ''Tools > Preferences''. When the preferences window opens up you should be in the "Interface" tab

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Choose the "Use custom skin" radio button, and browse to the location of the downloaded skin.

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Choose the "Use custom skin" radio button, and select the downloaded skin.

Restart VLC for the change to take effect.

Restart VLC for the change to take effect.

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==Web Interface==

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== Web interface ==

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Run VLC with the parameter "--extraintf=http" to use both the desktop and web interface.

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Run VLC with the parameter {{ic|--extraintf&#61;http}} to use both the desktop and web interface. The {{ic|--http-host}} parameter specifies the address to, which is {{ic|localhost}} by default. To set a password, use {{ic|--http-password}}, otherwise VLC will not allow you to log in.

Or you can enable this feature in the UI by navigating to "View" > "Add Interface" > "Web Interface".

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Or you can enable this feature in the UI by navigating to ''View > Add Interface > Web Interface''.

VLC defaults to port 8080: http://127.0.0.1:8080

VLC defaults to port 8080: http://127.0.0.1:8080

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Edit /usr/share/vlc/lua/http/.hosts to allow remote connections. You will need to restart VLC in order for changes to take effect.

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Edit {{ic|/usr/share/vlc/lua/http/.hosts}} to allow remote connections. You will need to restart VLC in order for changes to take effect.

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==Preventing multiple instances==

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== Tips and tricks ==

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The default settings for VLC is to open a new instance of the program for each file that is opened. This can be annoying if you are using VLC for something like playing your music collection. To remedy the problem you can do the following:

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=== Twitch.tv streaming over VLC ===

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#Open VLC

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See [[Streamlink#Twitch]].

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#Go to Tools -> Preferences (Ctrl+P)

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#Go to the Interface tab and find the "Instances" section.

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#Tick "Allow only one instance"

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#Optionally tick "Enqueue files when in one instance mode" - This will keep the current file playing and add any newly opened files to the current playlist.

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==See also==

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=== Playing streamed content from a local DLNA server ===

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*[[Common Applications#Multimedia]]

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*[http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ VLC homepage]

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If you find that trying to play uPNP/DLNA content (by going to ''View > Playlist > Local Network > Universal Plug'n'Play''), that vlc fails to see the DLNA server on the local network, then make sure that the firewall is not blocking port 1900 UDP. It is essential that this port is open in order to play local uPNP/DLNA content.

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*[http://wiki.videolan.org/Control_VLC_via_a_browser Control VLC via a browser]

The default settings for VLC is to open a new instance of the program for each file that is opened. This can be annoying if you are using VLC for something like playing your music collection. You can disable this in ''Tools > Preferences > Interface > Instances > Allow only one instance''. Optionally, tick ''Enqueue files when in one instance mode'' which keeps current file playing and adds any newly opened files to the current playlist.

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=== Hardware acceleration support ===

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See [[Hardware video acceleration]].

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VLC automatically tries to use an available API, but you can override it by going to ''Tools > Preferences > Input & Codecs'' and choosing the suitable option under ''Hardware-accelerated decoding'', e.g. {{ic|Video Acceleration (VA) API}} for VA-API or {{ic|Video Decode and Presentation API for Unix (VDPAU)}} for VDPAU.

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=== systemd service ===

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VLC's web interface can be started from systemd. First, you need to create a default user. This example will use UID 75 since it's not reserved according to [[DeveloperWiki:UID / GID Database]].

Now and then VLC will have some issues with configuration even in minor releases. Before making bug reports, remove or rename your configuration located at {{ic|~/.config/vlc}} and confirm whether the issue is still there.

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If using a ffmpeg variant from the AUR, be sure that you have upgraded it as well. Pacman will not upgrade it when necessary and a mismatch will break VLC.

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=== Segmentation fault ===

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When starting VLC you can get a segfault, and ruling out general factors such as [[Microcode]], a possible workaround to this is running the following:

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# /usr/lib/vlc/vlc-cache-gen /usr/lib/vlc/plugins

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Then reinstall VLC.

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If that does not work, VLC has a segfault issue with {{ic|plugins.dat}} (see {{Bug|57777}}), simply remove the file:

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# rm /usr/lib/vlc/plugins/plugins.dat

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=== Missing icons in dropdown menus ===

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This can happen under XFCE, there will be no more icons in dropdown menus, like the PCI card icon.

Installation

Language

VLC does not offer an option to change language in its Preferences menu. But you can use the LANGUAGE= prefix. For instance, modify the /usr/share/applications/vlc.desktop line:

Exec=/usr/bin/vlc %U

to:

Exec=LANGUAGE=fr /usr/bin/vlc %U

to switch VLC interface to French.

Skins

VLC can be "skinned" for a different look and feel. You can get skins at the skins website.

To install a skin download it and move it to:

~/.local/share/vlc/skins2

Open up VLC, click Tools > Preferences. When the preferences window opens up you should be in the "Interface" tab

Choose the "Use custom skin" radio button, and select the downloaded skin.

Restart VLC for the change to take effect.

Web interface

Run VLC with the parameter --extraintf=http to use both the desktop and web interface. The --http-host parameter specifies the address to, which is localhost by default. To set a password, use --http-password, otherwise VLC will not allow you to log in.

Tips and tricks

Twitch.tv streaming over VLC

Playing streamed content from a local DLNA server

If you find that trying to play uPNP/DLNA content (by going to View > Playlist > Local Network > Universal Plug'n'Play), that vlc fails to see the DLNA server on the local network, then make sure that the firewall is not blocking port 1900 UDP. It is essential that this port is open in order to play local uPNP/DLNA content.

Preventing multiple instances

The default settings for VLC is to open a new instance of the program for each file that is opened. This can be annoying if you are using VLC for something like playing your music collection. You can disable this in Tools > Preferences > Interface > Instances > Allow only one instance. Optionally, tick Enqueue files when in one instance mode which keeps current file playing and adds any newly opened files to the current playlist.

Hardware acceleration support

VLC automatically tries to use an available API, but you can override it by going to Tools > Preferences > Input & Codecs and choosing the suitable option under Hardware-accelerated decoding, e.g. Video Acceleration (VA) API for VA-API or Video Decode and Presentation API for Unix (VDPAU) for VDPAU.

systemd service

VLC's web interface can be started from systemd. First, you need to create a default user. This example will use UID 75 since it's not reserved according to DeveloperWiki:UID / GID Database.

Troubleshooting

Video broken or other issue after upgrade

Now and then VLC will have some issues with configuration even in minor releases. Before making bug reports, remove or rename your configuration located at ~/.config/vlc and confirm whether the issue is still there.

If using a ffmpeg variant from the AUR, be sure that you have upgraded it as well. Pacman will not upgrade it when necessary and a mismatch will break VLC.

Segmentation fault

When starting VLC you can get a segfault, and ruling out general factors such as Microcode, a possible workaround to this is running the following:

# /usr/lib/vlc/vlc-cache-gen /usr/lib/vlc/plugins

Then reinstall VLC.

If that does not work, VLC has a segfault issue with plugins.dat (see FS#57777), simply remove the file:

# rm /usr/lib/vlc/plugins/plugins.dat

Missing icons in dropdown menus

This can happen under XFCE, there will be no more icons in dropdown menus, like the PCI card icon.